News
George Kampanella joins Taylor Rose MW
Fri 10 June 2022
Taylor Rose MW is delighted to welcome George Kampanella into our Crime & Extradition department.
Partner, George Kampanella is based in our Carter Lane office and brings to Taylor Rose MW a wealth of experience in financial crime and criminal defence, having worked at a leading boutique City law firm specialising in financial crime.
George qualified as a solicitor in 1997, obtaining Higher Rights of Audience in 2009.
He represents corporate clients and individuals in a wider spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. George has been involved in and remains instructed in numerous high-profile cases, including a high value gold investment fraud.
George regularly represents clients in cases investigated and prosecuted by the:
• Financial Conduct Authority
• Serious Fraud Office
• HM Revenue and Customs
• National Crime Agency
• Trading Standards
• Crown Prosecution Service and,
• Other law enforcement agencies.
Cases include cross- border matters, as well as those involving regulatory powers such as account freezing orders. George is also an experienced extradition solicitor. He has a vast degree of knowledge and experience in challenging Interpol Red Notices.
Notable Cases:
George has dealt with several high-profile and complex cases:
Operation Circus 2 – This case involves a High Yield investment fraud exceeding £68million. The investigation commenced following complaints made to Action Fraud by investors. The investigation was not just confined to the UK, but extended to the US, where the FBI became involved.
The prosecution is led by the Complex Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service. They allege the defendant misled investors in providing wrong information. There are 15 defendants, including a solicitor who have been charged with fraud.
1MBD – George was instructed by individuals said to be linked to the world’s biggest financial scandal. Instructions included undertaking Interpol Red Notice enquiries. The case involved multi-jurisdictions, including USA and Malaysia. Officials in both countries investigated allegations of theft said to be in excess of US$4.5bn from 1MBD.
Operation Tuckhill - George is currently acting for an individual said to be involved in the misappropriation of funds exceeding £12 Million. The allegations involve bribery and corruption on a large scale and is said to extend to local councillor level. The matter remains at the investigation stage.
It is believed the police investigation has exceeded £1 Million to date. Several individuals’ financial affairs are being investigated. The case is particularly complex as there are issues concerning legally privileged information. The matter is voluminous in terms of evidence.
Encrochat – George is currently acting for an individual said to be involved in money laundering following the infiltration of Encrochat, a European-based communications network and service provider that offered modified smartphones allowing encrypted communications among subscribers said to be involved on organised crime. The defendant is said to have laundered large amounts of money, using others who had access to the encrypted platform. Other social media platforms also feature in this case.
George says: “The Crime & Extradition department at Taylor Rose MW is highly reputable and established. I am delighted to be part of the team and working alongside my new colleagues.”
“I look forward to drawing on their broader skills to achieve the best possible result for clients, who continue to occupy a fast -changing legal arena and must contend with an array of new laws and challenges being deployed in the path of investigations and prosecutions. “
“Providing a diligent and resolute defence is not only key, but also in the best interests of the client and it’s fantastic to be joining a team which grasps the full extent of that duty,” he concluded.
We are excited about the arrival of George. Head of Crime & Extradition, Henry Oghoetuoma welcomes the plethora of talent and experience that George brings to the department and comments that he will undoubtedly strengthen us in this niche area of law.
We would like to join Henry in welcoming George to Taylor Rose MW and wish him all the best and are excited to see what the future holds.
Please contact George Kampanella at our Carter Lane office on 020 3319 1198 or click 'contact us' to email him directly. For more information regarding George and the services he brings to Taylor Rose MW, please get in touch.
